Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device has two handles between which a flywheel is suspended on a cord. By twisting the cord and repeatedly pulling on the handles, the flywheel is caused to rotate about its axis of rotation. The cord passes through two passages formed in the flywheel. The latter is a solid body which is pierced only by the passages. The passages run obliquely inclined with respect to the axis of rotation. The friction between the cord and the wall(s) of the passages is increased when the handles are pulled apart and, as a result, the flywheel is prevented from sliding along the rope, for instance downwardly when the exercise device is used vertically.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation, under 35 U.S.C. §120, of copending international application No. PCT/EP2010/004832, filed Aug. 6, 2010, which designated the United States; this application also claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German patent application No. DE 10 2009 037 284.9, filed Aug. 12, 2009, the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an exercise device with two grip elements between which a rotation body is arranged, the rotation body having two passages through which a cord connected to the grip elements is guided. By twisting the cord and repeatedly pulling on the cord, the rotation body is caused to rotate about its rotation axis.

An exercise device of the generic kind is described, for example, in international publication WO 2005/046805.

The rotation body is usually designed as a flywheel having a weight of, for example, several hundred grams. By the repeated pulling on the grip parts, the flywheel is accelerated in the opposite direction at each pull. By virtue of the mass inertia, sufficiently high forces arise here that can be used for training purposes for selected muscle regions.

An exercise device of this kind is distinguished by being of a simple design and compact, while at the same time permitting a wide range of uses. In particular, an exercise device of this kind can also be used for therapeutic purposes for building up selected muscles and muscle regions.

The exercise device can be used not only in the horizontal direction, that is to say with the cord extending substantially horizontally, but also in any other desired spatial direction, for example obliquely inclined or also vertically. However, in the vertical orientation, the problem arises that the rotation body slips down the cord, under its own weight, toward the lower grip element. Anti-slip devices mounted on the cord, or knots made in the cord, are not especially suitable for remedying this problem, for example since they get in the way during routine changing of the cord.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a training apparatus which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which provides for a device in which the rotation body is prevented from slipping down when an exercise device of this kind is used vertically for training purposes, and at the same time to ensure a highest possible degree of user comfort.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an exercise device, comprising:

two grip elements;

a rotation body disposed between the two grip elements, the rotation body being a flywheel formed as a massive disk element of substantially solid material and having two through-passages formed therein;

a cord connected to the two grip elements, the cord extending between the two grip elements and through the through-passages in the rotation body;

the through-passages running at least partially obliquely inclined with respect to a rotation axis of the rotation body and wherein, after the cord has been twisted, the rotation body is caused to rotate about the rotation axis when the cord is repeatedly pulled; and

wherein the inclination of the through-passages relative to the rotation axis and a resulting non-parallel orientation thereof to a tension force between the two grip elements, causes the cord to be pressed against a wall of the through-passages such that a friction between the cord and the wall is increased.

In other words, the objects of the invention are achieved with an exercise device, wherein the passages which extend through the rotation body and through which the cord is guided are not parallel to the rotation axis, as is normally the case, but instead are inclined obliquely with respect to the rotation axis. The passages therefore extend, at an angle of inclination with respect to the rotation axis, from one side face through the usually disk-shaped and in particular solid rotation body to the opposite side face. They therefore extend at the same time inclined obliquely to a plane to which the rotation axis forms the perpendicular.

This embodiment is based on the notion of using the oblique passage through the rotation body to increase the friction between the cord and the wall area of the passage, such that in this way the rotation body is at least substantially prevented from slipping down in a vertical training position. A particular advantage of this obliquely oriented passage is to be seen in the fact that the cords can also be guided through simply and without any problem, for example when exchanging of a cord. The increased friction preferably arises even at low tensile loads in the training situation, when the cord is pulled in order to untwist or twist the cord. Because of the non-parallel orientation of the passage openings, the tensile force exerted in fact causes the cord to be pressed against a wall area in the training mode.

The rotation body is preferably designed as a solid flywheel made of solid material and, in particular, typically has a weight of several hundred grams, for example in the range of 100 to 300 grams, preferably in the region of about 175 grams. The rotation body can be made of metal, plastic or, preferably, hard rubber. The diameter of the flywheel is in the range of typically several centimeters, for example in the range between 5 and 10 cm, preferably about 7.5 cm. The thickness of the flywheel is a few centimeters for example, in particular about 2.5 cm.

According to an expedient embodiment, the passages extend obliquely with respect to the rotation axis along their entire length. This permits simple formation of the passages, for example using a drill applied obliquely with respect to the rotation axis. Therefore, the passages preferably also extend rectilinearly through the rotation body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the passages intersect each other in the rotation body. Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the passages cross the center of the rotation body, but without intersecting each other. Preferably, provision is also made that the subregions of the cord that are guided through the rotation body likewise intersect each other. This measure ensures that, even at very low tensile stresses, the rotation body is prevented from slipping along the cord. By means of the intersecting subregions of the cord, the rotation body is in fact supported as it were in a gusset area formed by the intersecting subregions. This embodiment is easily obtained by two intersecting and continuous bores as passage openings, which intersect each other at the center, that is to say at mid height, inside the rotation body. The subregions of the cord are guided past each other at the intersection point and touch each other there.

According to an expedient development, provision is made that, particularly in the case of the passages intersecting each other, these passages are oriented at an angle of inclination with respect to the rotation axis, which angle preferably lies in the range between 15° and 60°. The angle of inclination particularly lies in the range between 30° and 50°. According to a preferred embodiment, it is approximately 45°, such that the angle between the two subregions of the cord is 90°. Trials have shown that slipping is avoided particularly effectively with such an angle.

As an alternative to continuously rectilinearly extending passages, another expedient embodiment is one in which the passages have at least two subsidiary sections that are oriented at different angles with respect to the rotation axis. In this case, provision is preferably made that the two subsidiary sections each extend rectilinearly from the outer face of the rotation body and obliquely with respect to the rotation axis and meet approximately at the center of the body, such that they are approximately V-shaped, if appropriate with a rounded area at the center.

The subsidiary sections do not necessarily have to be rectilinear. It is alternatively also possible that the subsidiary sections are curved or that the passages as a whole are curved. In this case, the two passages are each preferably convexly curved toward the rotation axis. In principle, the subsidiary sections can also point away from the rotation axis, for example with a concave curvature or at an angle.

To allow the cord to be easily inserted into and guided through the passages, and at the same time to ensure the increased friction even at a low tensile load, the passages expediently have a diameter that is between 1.3 and 3 times the diameter of the cord.

Since, during twisting and untwisting of the cord in the training mode, high stresses act on the cord in the area where it enters the passages, provision is expediently made that the passages have insertion bevels at each end, i.e. at their inlet and outlet end. These insertion bevels are expediently designed asymmetrically and toward the rotation axis.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an exercise device, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an exercise device with a flywheel as rotation body and with band loops as grip elements;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through the flywheel according to a first alternative, along the line II-II in FIG. 3 and with cord subregions guided through;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the flywheel according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a second alternative, with passages oriented at an angle to each other; and

FIG. 5 shows a third alternative embodiment with convexly curved passages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawing, wherein the same or functionally equivalent parts or elements are identified with the same reference symbols, and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown an exercise device or apparatus according to the invention.

The exercise device has two grip elements designed as band loops 2 on which a cord 4 is secured. The cord 4, which may also be referred to as a cable, a line or a rope, is guided through two through-passages 8, passages 8 for short, in a rotation body, which is designed as a flywheel 6. The flywheel 6 is formed by a solid body made of solid material, for example metal or hard rubber, which is breached only by the passages 8. The latter are preferably configured as bores. The band loops 2 are made, for example, of a textile material, of plastic or also of another elastic material, such as rubber. As an alternative to the band loops 2, other grip elements such as rings, rods, etc. can also be provided. However, the band loops 2 have the advantage that they offer a high degree of gripping comfort and, in particular, they also extend the range of possible uses, for example by the band loops 2 not only being gripped by hand but instead, for example, also being able to be placed around a part of the body, for example a foot or the head.

The function and operation of the exercise device is as follows:

The cord 4 is first of all twisted slightly by the manual rotation of the flywheel 6. The twisted cord is then untwisted by pulling on the band loops 2, and the flywheel 6 is caused to rotate about its rotation axis 10. The rotation of the flywheel 6 then leads to a twisting in the opposite direction, and this twisting is reversed again by pulling on the band loops 2, and so on. Very considerable torques, forces and moments of inertia can develop depending on the speed of rotation that is generated.

This simple exercise device allows different muscle regions to be exercised effectively and easily. The exercise device is able to function in any desired orientation. It is also in some cases operated in a vertical or oblique direction. In this mode of operation, the problem arises that the flywheel 6 slips in the direction of the lower band loop 2 and is no longer arranged centrally.

In order to avoid this, it is proposed that the passages 8, which are arranged on both sides of the rotation axis 10, run through the flywheel 6 obliquely with respect to the rotation axis 10.

According to the first illustrative embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the passages 8 are designed as bores that extend rectilinearly all the way through the flywheel 6 and that intersect each other at the center of the flywheel 6, in other words at mid height. The intersection point lies here on the rotation axis 10.

A respective subregion 4A, 4B of the cord 4 is guided through these two passages 8. The two subregions 4A, 4B likewise intersect each other, in other words are likewise guided rectilinearly through the flywheel 6. At the intersection point, the two subregions 4A, 4B adjoin each other.

As can be clearly seen from the cross-sectional view in FIG. 2, the two subregions 4A, 4B form a kind of pocket or gusset area, which is filled by a central midpiece 12 of the flywheel 6. The two subregions 4A, 4B engage as it were around this midpiece 12.

At their inlet and outlet openings, the passages 8 each have insertion bevels 14. These insertion bevels 14 are designed asymmetrically in the illustrative embodiment and in particular are provided only toward the midpiece 12. Although not specifically shown in the merely schematic illustration, the midpiece 12 as a whole is rounded in the area of the insertion bevel, in order to keep the stress on the cord 4 as low as possible.

In order to permit simple insertion of the cord 4 and at the same time to ensure sufficiently high friction, the diameter of the passage 8, i.e. the inner width thereof, lies approximately between 1.3 and 2 times the diameter of the cord. The latter is 3 mm for example, and the diameter of the passages 8 is about 5 mm.

The passages 8 are inclined at an angle of inclination a with respect to the rotation axis 10. In the illustrative embodiment, this angle is about 45°.

The plan view of the flywheel 6 with the circular cross-sectional surface shows the admission openings of the passages 8 and also the asymmetrical design of the insertion bevel 14, which is formed only on the side oriented toward the rotation axis 10. The distance between the two passages 8 is typically in the range of 1 to 3 cm.

In the alternative embodiment according to FIG. 4, the respective passage 8 is made up of two subsidiary sections 8A, 8B, which are oriented at an angle to each other. The tips of the angled passages 8 are directed toward each other but spaced apart, with the result that the passages 8 do not intersect. Although the tip is shown as being angled, it preferably is formed in a rounded fashion, so as not to form any sharp-edged deflection points for the cord.

Finally, in the alternative embodiment according to FIG. 5, a continuously curved configuration of the passages 8 is provided. The radius of curvature is constant in the illustrative embodiment.

Although not specifically illustrated in the present embodiments, it will be understood that it is also possible to have combinations of curved subregions with rectilinearly extending subregions and also with subregions that extend parallel to the rotation axis 10.

The following is a list of the reference numerals and symbols used in the specification above:

-   2 band loop -   4 cord -   4A, 4B subregion of the cord -   6 flywheel -   8 through-passage -   8A, 8B subsidiary section of the passage -   10 rotation axis -   12 midpiece -   14 insertion bevel -   α angle of inclination 

1. An exercise device, comprising: two grip elements; a rotation body disposed between said two grip elements, said rotation body being a flywheel formed as a massive disk element of substantially solid material and having two through-passages formed therein; a cord connected to said two grip elements, said cord extending between said two grip elements and through said through-passages in said rotation body; said through-passages running at least partially with an oblique inclination relative to a rotation axis of said rotation body and wherein, after said cord has been twisted, said rotation body is caused to rotate about the rotation axis when said cord is repeatedly pulled; and wherein, due to the oblique inclination of said through-passages relative to the rotation axis and a resulting non-parallel orientation of said through-passages to a tension force between said two grip elements, said cord is pressed against a wall of said through-passages such that a friction between said cord and the wall is increased.
 2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said through-passages extend obliquely inclined with respect to the rotation axis along an entire length thereof.
 3. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said through-passages are rectilinear.
 4. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said through-passages intersect each other.
 5. The exercise device according to claim 4, wherein subregions of said cord that are guided through said through-passages likewise intersect each other.
 6. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said through-passages are oriented at an angle of inclination with respect to the rotation axis lying in a range from 15° to 60°.
 7. The exercise device according to claim 6, wherein said angle of inclination with respect to the rotation axis lies in a range from 30° to 50°.
 8. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said through-passages have subsidiary sections that are oriented differently with respect to the rotation axis.
 9. The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein said subsidiary sections are oriented at a non-parallel angle to each other.
 10. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said through-passages have a diameter amounting to between 1.3 and 3 times a diameter of said cord.
 11. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said through-passages are formed with insertion bevels at each end thereof. 